IMI MITS/TOPPAT
Overview
IMI developed MITS with TOPPAT™ functionality (patent pending) to enable seamless wide area tracking of assets without wireless infrastructure requirements or dedicated activities to track managed assets.
MITS Benefits Summary
ROI Focus
More results from current resources
Current results with fewer resources
Hands free work
Workers do their job
MITS automatically captures & reports data
Enterprise-to-hand held connectivity
Application not system development
MITS framework handles back room details
TOPPAT Updating of Asset Database
Transaction Originating Proximate Position Asset Tracking (patent pending)
The IMI MITS/TOPPAT solution is composed of two components: MITS and TOPPAT.
1 - MITS - Minimum Infrastructure Tracking Systems
Automatic Transition Creation During Normal Work Activities
Confirm asset location
Date/time, Lat/Long, Asset & Source ID
Asset Lat/Long
Work Event at asset location – at site
Date/time start, Date/time stop,
Asset & Source ID, Input Task ID
Asset Lat/Long
Relocation of asset – Location change
Date/time start, Date/time stop,
Asset & Source ID
Lat/Long start, Lat/Long stop, Path
MITS - Technical Summary
IMI MITS is a complete solution for building and deploying advanced mobile applications for mobile handheld computers. MITS simplifies the creation of workflow management applications by packaging a small-footprint relational database management system on the handheld computer. The MITS development environment used to create applications minimizes development time from concept to deployment, because minimal programming skills are necessary, though the power of a scripting language is available for advanced users.
The MITS solution provides full two-way database synchronization from the mobile handheld computer to the enterprise, so when a connection is available, your data is up-to-date from end to end. MITS Developer tools allow you to quickly assemble and deploy advanced mobile applications for data collection, querying, and reporting.
MITS Digital Mapping Module
A key component of MITS is hand held digital mapping integrated into each worker's data entry device such as a PDA. Integrated into the PDA are a set of display and real-time tracking functions that guide and assist workers find assets quickly and efficiently.
Plan Routes. See distances, compass bearings, elevation profile and estimated time
Digital maps. Merge map sheets to make a seamless map, and customize local area maps with customer site thematic overlay data.
Program GPS. Program complex routes and waypoints into mobile and handheld GPS units.
Plot real-time position. See asset position accurately displayed on a PDA moving map.
Performance review. Analyze GPS tracklog data to see where movers have been, with time distance, speed and elevation profiles.
MITS Dynamic Dispatching Module
A Key MITS component is the host based Dynamic Dispatching Module (DDM) that accepts work orders and dispatches mobile resources in an optimum manner to maximize work flow from available resources.
Work Order driven:
In-bound asset receipts
Relocate and shuffle assets to reach asset
Out-bound staging for delivery
Dispatch Work Orders
to mobile units with crew(s) or directly to movers
GPS pickup and drop-off locations, asset ID, RFID
any size managed area
Operational journal records all dispatches and results for systematic review, analysis and simulations
2 - TOPPAT Technical Summary
IMI TOPPAT is a standalone solution for building and deploying advanced mobile asset tracking applications for handheld computers. MITS simplifies the “location” function in asset tracking by tracking the mobile worker or worker vehicle using GPS and recognizing three “events” possible as each worker is in the work area storing the mobile assets. No special data entry is required by the worker to generate TOPPAT event transactions.
Pass by – a worker passes near enough to a mobile asset that an automatic identification device such as active RFID tag, is detected then missed in a short interval. The TOPPAT hand held classifies the event as a “pass by” event noting the asset ID, GPS location and date/time.
Task Performed – a worker approaches a mobile asset and performs a task on the asset such as a repair then leaves. The mobile asset does not change location. A TOPPAT hand held classifies the event as a “task performed” event noting the asset ID, GPS location and date/time.
Relocation – a worker moves the mobile asset to a new location and leaves. A TOPPAT hand held classifies the event as a “relocation” event noting the asset ID, initial GPS location, final GPA location, Initial date/time and final date/time thus updating the central database in a timely manner when the data is uploaded.
MITS / TOPPAT Example Application
New vehicle processing center
25,000-30,000 vehicles processed annually
100+ acre open air holding yard
30-35 “movers” dispatched on 4-5 hauler vans
Manually updated vehicle location system
Problems addressed
Misplaced vehicles – manual searches take hours to find
Lost revenues -chargeable services go unbilled
Rising operating cost for vans and labor
Need to be more responsive to customers